Physics 107: Living in a Fluid World (Jerry Gollub,)

Brief Description: An exploration of the role of fluid phenomena in
nature and life, including:The basic
principles governing fluid motion; the functioning of organisms that live in
fluids, or utilize fluids internally for circulation; and the role of fluid
dynamics in understanding the weather and atmospheric phenomena.Some phenomena that will be discussed during
the course include:how organisms adapt
to take advantage of their local fluid environment; the diverse mechanisms they
use to pump fluids; why the eyes of fish are not in the front; how insects walk
on water and fly; why the atmosphere is cold at high altitudes; what determines
the mean temperature of the earth, the physics of rain; how hurricanes work;
and the predictability of the weather.

Further information:Most of
the universe is filled with fluids in motion.We encounter fluid motion through the weather, through swimming and
flight, and by observing the oceans.Fluids are also essential for life:organisms live in fluids, and fluids move inside of them.In this course, we look at some of the basic
properties of fluid motion, and apply them to both biological and physical
situations.In this way, we learn some
physics, and we see how it gives insight into a great variety of natural
phenomena.

Who should take this course:

This
course is intended primarily for students who are not majoring in the sciences,
and are interested in the topic of the course.

Prerequisites

Some prior
exposure to Newton’s laws of motion
at the high school level would be helpful.

We will be expressing physical
ideas in mathematical form.I will need
to assume basic skills in algebraic manipulation and quantitative reasoning,
and a conceptual understanding of the basic ideas of integration and
differentiation at the level of Math 113a.Detailed mastery of calculus is not needed.However, if you are strongly averse to quantitative
reasoning and the use of mathematics, you might not enjoy the course.

Readings

--For the first half of the course on biological fluid
mechanics, we will use Steven Vogel, Life in Moving Fluids, a fine
example of science writing that is accessible to non-specialists.

--Later in the course when we discuss atmospheric
phenomena, I will provide written notes on Blackboard, and some articles.I have so far been unable to locate a
suitable textbook at the right level.Most are too compendious for our needs.However, I will put several texts on reserve, including:Atmosphere, Weather, and Climate by
Barry and Chorley, and The Atmosphere, by Lutgens
and Tarbuck.

--Ed Lorenz, The Essence of Chaos, is recommended on
the issue of atmospheric predictability, and may be assigned.

--Felice Frankel, The Design and Craft of the Science
Image, should be useful for the photographic project, and will be available
on reserve.It provides wonderful
adviceand examples for creating
attractive and informative scientific images.

Additional objectives

--To understand some major ideas in physics and to see
their wide applicability to phenomena involving fluid motion in varied
contexts.

--To appreciate the beauty of fluid flow phenomena, and to
learn to capture it photographically.

Topics

For the first half of the course,
we will follow the chapters in Vogel, and supplement his discussion of the
physics concepts.

Biofluid dynamics

What is a fluid?

Viscosity

The principle of continuity

Describing fluid flows: pathlines and streamlines

The velocity field

Pressure and momentum: Bernouilli

Drag and forces on organisms

The Reynolds number

Velocity gradients and boundary layers

Lift, flying, and swimming

Flows inside organisms

Very low Reynolds number flows (small organisms)

Changing flows

Interfaces and waves

Atmospheric phenomena

Temperature and Pressure in the
Atmosphere

Radiation and the determinants of
climate

Physics of clouds(continued)

Waves in the atmosphere

Atmospheric motions

Chaos and the predictability of
the weather

Course requirements

I ask for
serious engagement by all participants.This means:coming to class reliably, doing the assigned readings and homework
in a timely manner, and participating in class discussions and occasional
laboratories to the extent that the size of the class allows.

1. Regular
class attendance.It is important
that you come to all classes in order to profit adequately from this course and
to fulfill your responsibilities as a participant.You are expected not to miss more than two
classes for any reason (including athletic events, oversleeping, etc.), other
than illness.If you anticipate
difficulty in meeting this requirement, please do not take the course.

2.Readings and assignments.You are expected to do the assigned readings
and about 8 brief written assignments.You are responsible for reviewing the sample solutions, which will be
posted in the Science Library and on Blackboard.I hope to arrange “help sessions” staffed by
one or two physics majors.

3.A midterm exam and a final exam.Review questions will be provided to guide
your studying.

4.One laboratory session, to be arranged.Here, you will explore a variety of fluid
flows qualitatively. You may return to use these flows for #5 below.

5.A photographic project, in which you
will take digital photographs of one or two fluid flows of your choice, attempt
to explain the phenomena you observe, and organize your photographs into a
Powerpoint poster presentation.

6.(Alternative
to #5) A short library research paper
on a topic of your choice related to the course.

Grading

The
average course grade is typically around 3.2 in a course of this type,
depending somewhat on class performance.The following weights will apply to the various components of your work:

Weekly assignments 25%

Two exams 50%

Project
or short paper25%

Homework
assignments are expected on time, except in case of illness.You may also have one no-penalty extension for up to a week in case you are swamped
with work due simultaneously in different courses.Just
turn in a note in place of the assignment indicating that you wish to take a
“free extension”. Otherwise, the
late penalty is 20% of the earned grade for up to 1 week.Beyond that, it is still worthwhile to turn
in late homework for about half credit.(You will benefit from staying up to date.) It is permissible when
working for half credit to refer to the posted solutions for ideas, but not to
copy the solutions.

I know
from experience that students can’t master the material without coming to class
regularly.Therefore, absences (for reasons other than illness)
will lead to a grade point penalty of about 0.1 grade point per absence if more
than two were noted.In extreme cases, a
student may be dropped from the course or given an incomplete.

Honor code

Students
sometimes find it helpful to discuss homework together.This is encouraged, but your written work
should be your own and should not be copied from that of a study partner.Two assignments that have substantially identical wording or equations
would be presumed in violation of the honor code.Assistance
and sources must be acknowledged.

Interacting with Jerry Gollub

Electronic mail (sent to jgollub) is always welcome and is the
best way to reach me outside of class time.I will usually reply within a day or so (less on weekday
afternoons).I will occasionally send
you mail and announcements.

Phone: You may phone my office at
896-1196.Please leave a message if I'm
not there, along with your number and a
suggested time in the evening when I can return your call.

Office:I have found that the best way to get together is to arrange (after
class) a mutually agreeable time.You
are also welcome to drop in (KINSC L109); afternoons are best.Please do
not hesitateto contact me; no
question or topic is too small.If you
are having a lot of trouble with the homework, be sure to come to see me as soon
as possible.

Feedback:If you have concerns about the course, or
ideas about how to make it better, you should let the me know immediately, either in person or by
e-mail.Don't wait!